Last week I spoke of the great treasure that the youth of Christ the King are to our parish and to the Church. We are grateful for their presence and the special gifts they bring to our community. We welcome and we nurture those gifts at Christ the King.

This week I want to draw attention to another treasure at Christ the King. It is the treasure of our senior parishioners. We have many parishioners who have reached their ‘golden years’ and they bring to us a wealth of experience, a storehouse of wisdom and a lifetime of faithfulness. Christ the King is blessed with at least three centenarians. Our senior parishioners are the ones who built the community of faith that is Christ the King that we all enjoy and benefit from today. They deserve our gratitude and our respect.

At a time when they may not be as physically active in the parish as they once were, their spiritual presence is of great value. We count on their prayers. Psalm 127 tells us, ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, the laborers labor in vain.” Our senior parishioners are a powerhouse of prayer and we count on their intercession for all that takes place at Christ the King.

For parishioners who are no longer able to physically be present at Mass the parish has a small army of parishioners who regularly take Holy Communion to homes and nursing homes. If you know of a parishioner who is not able to come to Mass who would like to receive Holy Communion, please call the parish office to make arrangements.

I also know that several parishioners provide transportation to Mass to parishioners who no longer drive. Thank you for this kindness and if you know of a parishioner who would like to come to Mass but does not have transportation, please call us at the parish office.

During my first weeks at Christ the King I have had the privilege of visiting several senior parishioners in their homes. I have been edified by the faithfulness and the love they have for our parish. If you know of a parishioner who would like a visit from me, please let me know and I will be happy to make arrangements.

Christ the King is blessed in many ways. Our senior parishioners are a treasure to our parish. May we keep them in our thoughts, our prayers and our hearts!